#MNEK

Singer/Songwriter MNEK is promising us the “black, gay, pop experience,” in the best way that he can deliver it.

MNEK is starting to make a name for himself with mainstream audiences, but what many don’t realize is that he’s been in the music industry for nearly a decade.

Since he was 14, MNEK, real name Uzoechi Emenike, has been creating music for other people. He’s written and produced songs for musicians like Beyonce, Bastille, Madonna, Little Mix, Christina Aguilera, Diplo, Dua Lipa, BTS, and more.

But now, he feel’s its time to finally make music for himself.

"I'm so proud of it, it's been such a long time coming," he told Newsbeat during the Parklife festival in Manchester.

"I've made enough money from other people's records so I have to want to do this," he explains.

"It would be great if it did well but I don't have to put out records of my own."

MNEK is back again with another song and it’s a great way to start off Pride Month.

British singer MNEK is mostly known for his behind the scenes work. The songwriter has worked with many musicians such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Bastille, Dua Lipa, Diplo, Clean Bandit, Little Mix, and more. On top of that, he’s recently worked with Kpop group BTS for their latest album Love Yourself: Tear.

But, 23-year-old MNEK has also been working towards being more known for his own music and we’re happy to hear it.

MNEK’s latest single, Colour, is just out and he’s even uploaded a lyric video to go with it.

The song, which features singer and actor Hailee Steinfeld, is an upbeat pop song that celebrates diversity and vibrancy of life. You can’t tell us this song isn’t perfect for Pride Season. To convince you, we’ve included some lyrics and the lyric video down below.

Before you came into my lifeEverything was black and whiteNow all I see is colorLike a rainbow in the sky

So tell me your love will never fadeThat I won’t see no clouds of greyCause I don’t want anotherYou bring color to my life, baby

BTS’s latest album Love Yourself: Tear is out and many were delightfully surprised to find out that a song from their album was created with the help of singer/songwriter MNEK.

Though, if you’re a fan or at least aware of MNEK’s work, you wouldn’t be totally surprised. Before he went off to make music for himself, MNEK had written songs for famous singers like Madonna and Beyoncé.

It was music producer lophiile that confirmed the collaboration on Twitter. In his tweet, lophiile said, “Me & the homie MNEK did a tune for BTS.”

MNEK then shared his thoughts on the collaboration on Twitter by saying, “The BTS fans [nicknamed ARMYs] have been so fucking nice! Thank yooooou. Look fwd to you all hearing the song we wrote.”

While Kpop has steadily become a sensation online in the past few decades, it was boy band BTS that first broke into the American music industry. Last year, the band was invited to several awards shows and concerts such as the New Years Eve event in New York City.

Now, their latest album has already reached number one on the US music charts.

If you want to list to the song titled “Paradise” or “낙원,” you can do so down below.

MNEK has triumphantly smacked down a homophobic troll who left hate and intolerance in the comment section of one of his videos.

MNEK released the music video for his song “Tongue” earlier this month. In the video (found below), MNEK celebrates finding new love and lust with a man at a dinner party.

Of course, one person not only disagreed with the message of the video, but had to share his hateful words in the comments section on Youtube.

The anonymous troll’s comments went:

“Call me old fashioned but this is so so wrong. Look in this guy’s eyes. You can clearly see a demon is in control of this guy and is doing this gay thing so it can poison young minds,” he said. “I’ve just seen this video on MTV Hits where near enough everyone of all ages views it and this gay stuff has all become so normal. The end of times is near. Pray for forgiveness.”

But, MNEK wasn’t letting this person have his day. Instead, he posted a response on Instagram that was beautifully put.

Among many things, MNEK wrote:

“OBVIOUSLY, throughout what I’m doing, there will be people who don’t like it, don’t get it, or are just straight up uncomfortable with how gay it is. I’ve been working in this industry for a long time and have earned the right to now perform in a way that exhibits the true me.”

He added:

“If videos like mine can help a young kid come to terms with their truth, I’m doing more good in the world than a keyboard warrior – soooooo If you’re a homophobe and want to spray hate on comments etc etc. you should know that my moodboard rn is BLACK FAGGOT POP SUPERSTAR ???????? so it’s about to get eeeeeven gayer – whether ya like it or NAHHTTT. get with the program or get out!”